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The unknown side of Vasilis Leventis: When he sang 'The Children of Piraeus'
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greece /Culture & Society

The unknown side of Vasilis Leventis: When he sang 'The Children of Piraeus'

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Vasilis Leventis, known for his fiery political career, had a brief stint as a singer in 1972.
  • At 21, he recorded a 45rpm record featuring the song "Ta Pedia tou Piraeus" and a duet.
  • This little-known musical chapter predates his prominent role in Greek politics.

Vasilis Leventis, a figure widely recognized for his passionate and often confrontational political career as the leader of the Enosi Kentroon party, possessed a lesser-known talent before entering the political arena: singing. Many who recall his late-night broadcasts and sharp critiques of the political establishment might be unaware of his early foray into the music industry.

In 1972, at the age of 21 and while studying at the National Technical University of Athens, Leventis released a 45rpm record with the small label Hellas Records. The record featured his rendition of Manos Hadjidakis's iconic song "Ta Pedia tou Piraeus" (The Children of Piraeus) on one side. On the other side, he performed a duet titled "Achortagi Aleka" (Insatiable Aleka) with a fellow student named Jenny Lieri.

Although his political ambitions ultimately overshadowed his musical pursuits, leading to a brief and largely forgotten singing career, this chapter offers a unique glimpse into the life of a prominent Greek politician. It stands as one of the most obscure yet intriguing aspects of Vasilis Leventis's personal history, revealing a side of him far removed from the political battles he would later wage.

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DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.